Arrest Made In Death of Visalia 3-Year-Old

Visalia, CA-A South Valley family is devastated at the loss of three and a half-year- old Natalynn Miller.

Investigators say she couldn't be saved, and Natalynn was pronounced dead at the hospital.

"The child died as a result of blunt force injuries to the head and body area," Sergeant Steve Phillips said.

Phillips said evidence points to the boyfriend, 25-year-old Ryan Jones, as the person who inflicted deadly injuries on the little girl.

On Wednesday cops arrested him and took him to the Tulare County Jail.

Now Natalynn's dad has released a statement, saying he knew Jones was trouble from the start.

He wrote to KMPH news:

"Natalynn was terrified of her mother's boyfriend and expressed her fears to me on many occasions. Her mother promised me she would not be left in the care of her new boyfriend anymore."

Troy Miller is in seclusion with his family, but he says he will speak out later.

He continues:

"Natalynn was loved and adored by almost everyone who knew her and she will be missed. Words can't express the feeling of sadness and loss that I and my family are feeling now."

Sergeant Phillips says it has been tough to investigate Natalynn's death, and officers have sympathy for her family.

"And it is always a little more personal when it is a toddler," said Sgt. Phillips.

Natalynn's dad also said Jones was babysitting her while her mother was at work.